Problem

When creating a project in SOLIDWORKS Visualize, we have to import or create a model.

Solution

During Import, we have the ability to import appearances, appearances with textures, and appearances without textures. We can control these import parameters by using the import options dialog box, shown below when importing a file from File > Import.

We can choose not to import any appearances whatsoever in Visualize by unchecking the “Appearances” tab itself, or we can leave the options alone to import the model with all appearances and textures. In the "Appearances" tab, we can choose to “Ignore texture references” by checking the appropriate checkbox and control search options and locations for missing textures.

Differences between imports with Textures, without Textures, and no Appearances

To see a comparison of each type of import style, let’s take a look at the image below.

With appearance and texture imported, the wood texture from SOLIDWORKS has been applied to the model. When the appearance checkbox is completely off, nothing from the appearance is imported, resulting in a gray body. When no texture is imported, Visualize still creates the appearance in the Appearance tree and auto-selects an appearance type, but no texture has been added.

If no texture has been imported, we can manually add the texture in the general tab of the appearance, and the texture tab will be populated with properties we can control once more.

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.